Very few times in American History has there been an opportunity to take a mid-term election as seriously as in 2010. Not only are the two major political parties polarized by important issues, but within the Republican Party there is a battle between the old party stalwarts and the upstart Tea Party activists.
In Colorado, former Republican Congressman Ton Tancredo is running on the Constitution Party ticket. Several state primary elections have witnessed the political demise of conservative Republican stalwarts like Bob Inglis of South Carolina and Congressional Democrats like Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick of Michigan. Political changes in the fall of 2010 represent a rich source of topics for classes that explore politics, government, or civics.
Politics Topics for the 2010 Fall Semester
Vibrant discussions, student presentations, and insightful lectures will be enhanced by the overly volatile yet intriguing themes associated with the 2010 mid-term election. Some of these topics include:
- The role of the Tea Party federation on primary elections
- How will the Tea Party impact the November 2010 election?
- Will Sarah Palin’s endorsements result in Tea Party success?
- Are candidates like Nevada’s Sharron Angle too extreme?
- Can the Democrats retain control of the House?
- Will third parties like the Libertarians effect election outcomes?
- Can Independents like Charlie Crist of Florida defeat major party candidates?
- The effects of the Congressional ethics trials of Charles Rangel and Maxine Waters
- Would a Republican-led House seek to repeal recent health care changes?
Issue Topics for the 2010 Fall Semester
Americans are bombarded daily by the media with pressing issues like the BP oil spill and Arizona’s immigration law. Here are some topic ideas that address current issues that are sure to affect the November 2010 election:
- reforming immigration and finding solutions to illegal immigrants
- climate control legislation
- combating unemployment
- reforming campaign finances
- BP’s compensation to Gulf-state residents
- U.S. – Israeli Relations
- winning the war in Afghanistan
- on-going security leaks like the Wikileaks
- global commerce and bank reform
- military deployments to Costa Rica
- sanctions against Iran and North Korea
General Topics for the 2010 Fall Semester Politics Class
General topics include issues from a variety of areas. Here are a few suggestions that represent themes particular to current American concerns:
- government surveillance of American citizens
- approval ratings of Barack Obama and the Congress
- the Supreme Court’s weakening of Miranda Rights
- how history is taught in American schools (Texas changes)
- federal funding priorities and decreasing the deficit
- budget concerns re-segregate school systems
- should obesity warrant government action?
- rising number of HIV cases in America
- the future of off-shore oil drilling
- energy sources other than fossil fuels
- the future of the Bush-era tax cuts
Other Fun Activities for Politics and Civics Classes
Beyond exploring a host of relevant issues, students can experience a direct approach to issues and candidates by:
- volunteering to work on a local political campaign
- becoming involved with an NGO, Think Tank, or local agency like the Urban League
- attending town hall meetings and candidate debates
- debating key election issues in the classroom
- inviting guest speakers that represent either issues or specific candidates
- volunteering at polling places on Election Day
Making the Electoral Process a Personal Experience
Students generally enjoy political debates. Well planned and coordinated activities will enable students to become better acquainted with issues and candidates. Not every student can attend a model Congress program. But every instructor can bring the elements of research, debate, and discussion into the classroom.
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